The BMW M340i has 1 Big Advantage Over the Audi S4
That ideal blend of sports car and luxury sedan isn’t easy to come by these days. That said, there are two European models that can do the job well. When comparing the BMW M340i with the Audi S4, there are lots of similarities. However, the BMW M340i maintains one big advantage over the Audi S4. Things aren’t all bad for Audi though; the S4 is still a formidable opponent for the sporty BMW.
Standard all-wheel drive in the Audi S4
That the 2023 Audi S4 comes standard with Quattro all-wheel drive puts it ahead of the BMW M340i from the start. Yes, rear-wheel drive sports cars are a blast. But for a four-door luxury sedan you plan to use every day, all-wheel drive has the versatility you need.
Even better, the Quattro-drive Audi S4 comes with that all-wheel drive for less than the rear-drive BMW M340i. The starting price for the Audi is a tick below $54,000. Meanwhile, the BMW M340i starts at over $56,000 before options. If you then want to put xDrive in the Bavarian contender, you’ll be shelling out an additional $2,000.
More trunk space makes the BMW M340i a versatile sport sedan
Turning the tables, the BMW M340i offers considerably more trunk space than the sport sedan from Ingolstadt. The 13 cubic feet of trunk space in the BMW gives you one extra cube than you’ll get with the S4. That may not seem like much on paper. But when taking a grand touring sport sedan on a long road trip, all of that space makes a difference.
Alternatively, the Audi S4 does offer more rear-seat passenger space than the M340i can manage. An extra half inch of legroom means that passengers have a shade more comfort on longer trips. It also makes getting a child seat in the back an easier task, and passengers will have an easier time getting settled in.
This is the biggest advantage of the BMW M340i vs the Audi S4
The one biggest advantage that the BMW M340i holds over the Audi S4 is tucked under the hood. At first glance, these two sport sedans might seem similar. Both have a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine providing power. Both offer paddle-shifted dual-clutch transmissions. And both emit a sound that has no trouble eliciting a reaction.
However, what happens when you press the loud pedal in the BMW M340i is much more compelling than the S4.
When pushed from zero to 60 mph, the Audi S4 crosses the mark in just 4.2 seconds, according to Car and Driver. Meanwhile, the BMW hits the same figure in just 3.8 ticks on the clock. That figure is even more impressive when considering the drivetrain. The BMW’s mark was set using rear-wheel drive, while the Audi used Quattro power to get things moving.
When you look at the stats, it becomes clear why the M340i has such an advantage. A mild-hybrid system gives it 382 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. That’s an impressive bump over the S4, which offers just 349 horsepower with a similar 369 pound-feet of torque.
Furthermore, the BMW remains more efficient than the Audi model as well. With 23 mpg city and 31 mpg highway, the M340i lets you go further than the 21 city/31 highway mpg of the Audi S4.
Both the BMW M340i and Audi S4 are great choices
In truth, there are no clear winners or losers in this race. Both the BMW M340i and Audi S4 have great strengths and a few pitfalls. At the end of the day, choosing between these two sport sedans isn’t easy. For our money, the added efficiency and punch of the BMW M340i make it a winner. That said, the Quattro capability of the S4 is an undeniable counterpoint.
